I’m not sure how I managed to go for so long without knowing about Mr. Money Mustache, a website about frugal living. It has pretty much the same ethos as Your Money or Your Life and The Tightwad Gazette, updated for more modern sensibilities (and interest rates). The basic idea is to cut back your spending as much as possible – while still having fun – and investing the difference between your spending and your income so that you can work as you please.
It’s a liberating idea.
At a basic level, it’s always a good reminder to find ways to live a good life without needing lots of stuff or spending lots of money. Even for those of us who are spending a lot more than Mr. Money Mustache, it’s good practice to separate the things you need (books, whether purchased or from the library) from the things you really like but could do without (fancy clothes).
In any event, I’m glad I found the site, and I’m giving my tightwad living muscles a little workout right now to keep them in shape. It’s not because I have to, but because I want to. And that’s good.
